by jboullion | Apr 15, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an editorial in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
No one should consider the radar problems posed by a Dodge County wind farm as a reason to slow the push for more wind-generated power in Wisconsin. While the issue needs to be explored, it isn’t significant enough to warrant slowing down the move toward more renewable energy.
The state needs more wind farms and other renewable sources if it’s going to move away from fossil fuels that help contribute to pollution and climate change.
According to the National Weather Service, the wind farm’s turbines are sending false storm signals to the government’s weather radar system. Weather service officials say they see no significant public safety threat, although they say the wind farm could confuse some storm watchers.
Meteorologist Marc Kavinsky told the Journal Sentinel’s Scott Williams that the approaching summer storm season will be the federal agency’s first opportunity to gauge the wind farm’s full impact.
Just outside the Dodge County community of Iron Ridge, the wind farm includes 36 turbines that began operating over the past few months, generating electricity for several surrounding communities.
A spokesman for the owner of the wind farm, Babcock and Brown Ltd., said the company has not encountered a similar problem with any of its other 24 wind farms operating throughout the country.
by jboullion | Apr 14, 2009 | Uncategorized
From a news release issued by Venture Electronics:
Venture recently finished the installation of a 250 kW solar array at the Johnson Controls Headquarters in Glendale, WI. This massive solar array is currently the largest ground mounted solar field in Wisconsin. The largest roof mount array at the GE Waukesha facility also was installed by Venture Electric.
“The Johnson Controls job was quite a project. It took a total team effort to get this array built on time. It proves that solar energy isn’t just for the Sun Belt,” said Venture Electric’s project manager Jim Seefeldt. Venture’s crew battled sub-zero temperatures to erect an intricate maze of piping that created the framework to support the 1452 solar panels. “Each panel had to be at exactly 30 degree for optimal collection of solar energy. It’s like a massive erector set that makes electricity,” said Electrician Foreman Marty Schultz.
A single solar panel generates approximately 33 volts DC (direct current). Each panel is combined with other panels until it reaches 480 volts DC. This DC voltage is then converted to AC (alternating current) thru an inverter. AC is used in virtually all homes in the United States. The inverter takes this converted voltage and places it back on the power grid for use by Johnson Controls and its neighbors.
The installation of these solar arrays requires a new skill set for traditional electrical contractors. “It requires electricians to abide by codes a lot of electrical contractors don’t use every day. I took it as a personal challenge (to learn the codes). It’s a lot of fun to be part of a new industry,” said Schultz
Venture Electric is excited about the growth of photovoltaic in Wisconsin. “It (PV) is the future of electrical generation and we are proud to be part of it,” said Jeffrey Robertson President of Venture Electric. “With the current administration’s commitment to “green technology” I see this as a real growth area. Photovoltaic and wind power are definitely here to stay.”
by jboullion | Apr 13, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Scott Williams in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
The National Weather Service has issued a new kind of warning because of a Dodge County wind farm that is disrupting the agency’s ability to monitor storms in southeastern Wisconsin.
The wind farm’s giant turbines – each as wide as a football field and as tall as a 20-story building – are sending false storm signals to the government’s weather radar system.
Weather service officials say they see no significant public safety threat, although they say the wind farm has caused radar interference and could confuse some storm watchers.
Meteorologist Marc Kavinsky said the approaching summer storm season will be the federal agency’s first opportunity to gauge the wind farm’s full impact.
“It’ll be interesting,” he said. “I’m hoping the effects will be minimal.”
Located just outside the Dodge County community of Iron Ridge, the wind farm includes 36 turbines that began operating over the past few months, generating electricity for several surrounding communities. . . .
Weather service officials said they began to notice the problem almost immediately after the Dodge County wind farm began operating.
According to a report on the agency’s Web site, the spinning wind turbines have presented “persistent interference” that mimics storm systems and could “negatively impact warning effectiveness” when real storms move into the area.
Rusty Kapela, the agency’s warning coordinator meteorologist, said officials have tried to adjust the radar system to block out the wind farm readings.
But because it affects such a small geographic area and is easily recognized by the weather service’s trained experts, Kapela said, the situation is not a significant problem. It was posted on the Web site only as an informational report for the general public, he said.
“It’s just interesting science stuff,” he said. “In the grand scheme of things, it’s just a minor blip.”
by jboullion | Apr 10, 2009 | Uncategorized
From an article by Steve Schultze in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel:
Hybrid diesel-electric buses run cleaner and quieter and get better mileage than their conventional diesel engine counterparts, advocates say.
Dozens of cities around the United States use hybrids, including Madison, Chicago and New York. But don’t expect to see them anytime soon in Milwaukee.
Higher hybrid costs have put them out of reach for the Milwaukee County Transit System, at least for now. The local bus system is seeking $16.4 million in federal stimulus aid, which it plans to use to replace 41 aging diesel-powered buses with new diesel buses, transit system managing director Anita Gulotta-Connelly told county supervisors this week.
The big reason is cost. Hybrid models each cost about $500,000, or up to $200,000 more than conventional diesel buses, according to an analysis by the Union of Concerned Scientists, a national environmental policy advocacy group. The hybrids also cost an extra $30,000 to $60,000 in expected costs of replacing their battery packs, according to a report from the transit system.
Cheaper fuel costs for the hybrids – they get about 30% better mileage – would save up to $85,000 over the 12-year life of a bus if diesel fuel averaged $3.50 a gallon, the transit system report says. That still makes traditional diesel buses more affordable.
by jboullion | Apr 9, 2009 | Uncategorized
MEETING NOTICE
The Milwaukee Transit Riders Union will be having it’s first April 2009 meeting at Brewing Grounds – 2008 N. Farwell Av. on April 11, 2009 at 11:15 a.m.
